Look for the new 18,000 square foot venue Lava Cantina to open in The Colony. Plans are to bring high quality Mexican and Creole fusion and live music replete with 1,800 seats. Father and son owners Steve and Ian Vaughn opened a similar venue in Baton Rouge in 2013 and have since enjoyed a raging success.

Steve Vaughn has been in the music industry for 40 years and Ian Vaughn worked for Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers as COO.

The focus is on a Creole Mexican fusion with dishes such as boudin balls made with chorizo, enchiladas and burritos filled with alligator or smoked duck, and tacos stuffed with fried catfish and shrimp. And, of course, rock and roll.

Chef Patrick Stark has been named exec and will oversee the culinary side of the operations, but you can bet you will find him on stage occasionally. That is just what he does. You will remember Stark who is the former exec at Sundown at the Granada on Greenville Avenue.